Sedona AZ (May 2, 2014) – Sedona Arts Center faculty member, Liz Learmont, LifeMasking Sculptress, presents a museum type exhibition “Be Inspired!” Friday, May 2 – Monday, May 12, 2014 from 10:00 am-6:00 p.m. in the Special Exhibition Gallery, 15 Art Barn Rd., Sedona, Arizona. On Saturday, May 10 an Artist Talk and Reception will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The multi media collection of over 40 pieces will show the first work ‘first mask’, which was created in 1985, to the most recently completed ‘Mystic Transmission’.
After earning degrees in Math, Physics and Computer Science and a 20-year career in software engineering and management, Ms. Learmont departed the corporate arena to build and create the LifeMasking art form. In 2008 Liz returned to one of her first loves, the mosaic and received a Master in Mosaic certification from the Orsoni Institute and smalti factory in Venice, Italy.
LifeMasking in ancient times was a source of spiritual power. Today, it is an art form with the foundation of the sculpture created on a life model. The LifeMasking Sculptress attempts to give form and substance to the limitless depth of the living spirit, allowing the divine self to be experienced in a new and powerful way. The mask is a physical representation of a place of “inner peace.” The quiet of the mask reflects the peaceful calm of one’s inner core, expressing a sacred moment.
Sculptress Learmont says the retrospective is a “30 year evolution of this art form that I’ve pioneered” and it is her hope “that the exhibition will inspire peace and creativity in your heart” and her intention is to inspire others on whatever their creative journeys may be.
“Be Inspired!” will take the visitor on a creative journey. The inspirational representations include indigenous American Indian pieces, full-body life masks of children as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Toy Soldier, professional ballet dancer en pointe, Geisha figures to a creation of a horse head life mask. In addition, the exhibit will include the installation/collection “Come Join the Circle”, a series of 13 ‘full-sized body-mask sculpted beings’ Ms. Learmont began creating in 2001, after 9/11 changed the world. The “Circle…” was born from Liz’s yearning to express and honor the ‘here and now’ of life and the richness we can find through our inner silence. The sculptures are gathered together in meditation to create an intentional space for compassion and love. The visitor is invited to sit with this group taking a moment of peace and stillness. Visitors will have the opportunity to suggest a new title for the installation.
Besides being open to visitors, “Be Inspired!” would like to invite students, senior citizen groups, and others to the exhibit. Liz will take them thru the creative evolution of the masks and sculptures and give them the opportunity to experience the process with a Q & A.
Artist Statement-
“The Mask…in ancient Egypt and Greece, a source of spiritual power. Today, an art form… a living being captured for a timeless moment
My Task…to give form and substance to the limitless depth of the human spirit
My Gift…to allow the self to be seen and experienced in a new and powerful way
My Mission…to cultivate mystical creativity, encouraging spiritual evolution”
